Nectarine tree named ‘Sugarred II’

ABSTRACT

The present invention relates to a new and distinct variety of nectarine tree,  Prunus persica,  broadly characterized by a medium size, vigorous, hardy, self-fertile, productive and regular bearing tree. The variety blooms somewhat early and requires about 400 chilling hours. The fruit matures under the ecological conditions described in early June, with first picking on Jun. 3, 2007. The fruit is uniformly large in size, acidic and sweet in flavor, globose in shape, clingstone in type, firm and melting in texture, mostly red in flesh color, and mostly red in skin color.

Botanical classification: Prunus persica.

Variety denomination: ‘SUGARRED II’.

BACKGROUND OF THE VARIETY

In a continuing effort to improve the quality of shipping fruits, I, the inventor, typically hybridize a large number of peach, nectarine, plum, apricot, and cherry seedlings each year. I also grow a lesser number of open pollinated seeds of each of these fruits, usually to capture recessive traits. The present invention relates to a new and distinct variety of nectarine tree, which has been denominated varietally as ‘Sugarred II’.

The present variety was hybridized by me in 1995 as a first generation cross using ‘Spring Bright’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 7,507) nectarine as the selected seed parent and an unnamed low chill peach (unpatented) as the selected pollen parent. The fruit of this cross was gathered that spring, and the seeds were removed, cracked, stratified, germinated, and grown as seedlings on their own root in my greenhouse. Upon reaching dormancy the seedlings were transplanted as a group to a cultivated area of my experimental orchard located near Le Grand, Calif., in Merced County (San Joaquin Valley). During the fruit evaluation season of 1999 I selected the present variety as a single tree from the group of seedlings described above. Subsequent to origination of the present variety of nectarine tree, I asexually reproduced it by budding and grafting in the experimental orchard described above, and such reproduction of plant and fruit characteristics were true to the original plant in all respects. The reproduction of the variety included the use of ‘Nemaguard’ (unpatented) rootstock upon which the present variety was compatible and true to type.

The present variety is similar to its seed parent, ‘Spring Bright’ nectarine by producing nectarines that are firm, mostly red in skin color, clingstone in type, and acidic in flavor, but is quite distinguished therefrom by requiring less chilling hours and by producing fruit that is extremely red instead of yellow in flesh color, that is oblate instead of globose in shape, and that matures about eighteen days earlier.

The present variety is more similar to ‘Rose Bright’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 15,845) nectarine by producing nectarines that are firm in texture, that are acidic and sweet in flavor, that are nearly full red in skin color, and that ripen in early June, but is distinguished therefrom by requiring less chilling hours and by producing fruit that has a much deeper suture at the apex, that is somewhat larger, and that is mostly red instead of yellow in flesh color.

SUMMARY OF VARIETY

In summary, the present variety is characterized by a medium size, vigorous, hardy, self-fertile, productive and regular bearing tree. The variety blooms somewhat early and requires about 400 chilling hours. The fruit matures under the ecological conditions described in early June, with first picking on Jun. 3, 2007. The fruit is uniformly large in size, acidic and sweet in flavor, globose in shape, clingstone in type, firm and melting in texture, mostly red in flesh color, and mostly red in skin color.

DRAWING

The accompanying photograph consists of four whole fruits positioned to display the characteristics of the skin color and form, one sliced fruit to reveal the flesh, two insets to reveal buds and a blossom, characteristic leaves, and a typical tip shoot.

POMOLOGICAL CHARACTERISTICS

Referring now more specifically to the pomological characteristics of this new and distinct variety of nectarine tree, the following has been observed under the ecological conditions prevailing near Le Grand, Merced County (San Joaquin Valley), Calif., and was developed at the state of firm ripe on Jun. 6, 2007, on the original tree during its twelfth growing season. The blossom and flower descriptions were made the previous blooming season. All major color code designations are by reference to the Inter-Society Color Council, National Bureau of Standards. Common color names are also used occasionally.

Parentage

-   Seed parent: ‘Spring Bright’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 7,507) nectarine. -   Pollen parent: Unnamed low chill peach.

Tree

-   Size: Medium, reaching and maintaining a height of 10′ [3.05 m.] and     a spread of 9′ [2.74 m.] after twelve growing seasons utilizing     typical dormant pruning. -   Vigor: Vigorous, responding typically to irrigation and     fertilization. The variety grows about 3′ [0.91 m.] of surplus     top-growth during the spring and summer. The plant should be grown     on a standard commercial rootstock for production purposes. -   Growth: Spreading and dense. -   Form: Vase type. -   Hardiness: Hardy with respect to central California winters. -   Heat tolerance: Observed to perform adequately in typical central     California climatic conditions, which typically include extended     periods of heat. -   Drought tolerance: Variety is developed for commercial orchards and     requires regular irrigation. -   Production: Very productive, thinning necessary. -   Fertility: Self-fertile. -   Bearing: Regular bearer with no alternate bearing yet observed. -   Approximate chilling requirement: 400 hours. -   Trunk:     -   -   Size.—Medium, reaching a maximum diameter of 6½″ [165 mm.]             after the twelfth growing season.         -   Texture.—Shaggy.         -   Bark color.—A Moderate yellowish brown [77. m.yBr] and Dark             yellowish brown [78. d.yBr] variegation with Strong             yellowish brown [74. s.yBr] crevices present.         -   Lenticels.—Approximate Number Per Square Inch: 4. Color:             Strong yellowish brown [74. s.yBr]. Average Size: ⅜″ [9.5             mm.]. Shape: Eye-shaped, elongated. -   Branches:     -   -   Size.—Diameter of limb is 3¾″ [95 mm.] measured 12″ above             the crotch, 2½″ [64 mm.] measured 12″ above the first fork.         -   Texture.—Smooth on first and second year wood, increasing             roughness with age.         -   Color.—1st Year Wood Topside: Grayish red [19. gy.R]. 1st             Year Wood Underside: Brilliant yellow green [116. brill.YG].             Older Wood: Grayish yellowish brown [80. gy.yBr].         -   Lenticels.—Number Per Square Inch: More than 40 on second             year wood. Color: Light yellowish brown [76. l.yBr]. Average             size: 1/32″ [0.8 mm.] on second year wood. Shape:             Rectangular, elongated. -   Leaves:     -   -   Size.—Large. Average Length: 6⅞″ [174.6 mm.]. Average Width:             1 11/16″ [42.9 mm.].         -   Arrangement.—Alternate.         -   Thickness.—Medium.         -   Form.—Elliptical.         -   Apex.—Acuminate.         -   Base.—Acute, with an average base angle of 75 degrees.         -   Surface.—Smooth.         -   Color.—Dorsal Surface: Moderate olive green [125. m.OlG].             Ventral Surface: Moderate yellow green [120. m.YG].         -   Margin.—Finely serrate.         -   Venation.—Pinnately net veined.         -   Vein color.—Light yellow green [119. l.YG].         -   Petiole.—Average Length: 5/16″ [7.9 mm.]. Average Thickness:             1/16″ [1.6 mm.]. Color: Strong yellow green [117. s.YG].         -   Stipules.—Number: Usually 2 per leaf, up to 6 per growing             tip. Average Length: ¼″ [6.4 mm.]. Color: Very yellow green             [115. v.YG] becoming Moderate reddish brown [43. m.rBr] with             maturity.         -   Glands.—Number: 2 to 4 per leaf. Position: Mostly alternate             with a few opposite, located on petiole and base of blade.             Size: Small. Form: Globose. Color: Very yellow green [115.             v.YG] becoming Deep reddish brown [41. deep rBr] with age.         -   Leaf buds.—Pointed, medium in size. -   Flower buds:     -   -   Hardiness.—Hardy, with respect to central California             winters.         -   Diameter.—Typically ⅜″ [9.5 mm.] 1 week before bloom.         -   Length.—Typically 9/16″ [14.3 mm.] 1 week before bloom.         -   Form.—Not appressed.         -   Surface.—Pubescent.         -   Tip color.—Light purplish pink [249. l.pPk]. -   Flowers: Perfect, complete, perigynous, usually a single pistil,     typically thirty or more stamens, five sepal and petal locations     alternately positioned.     -   -   Type.—Showy, large.         -   Average flower diameter.—2⅛″ [54.0 mm.].         -   Number of petals.—Usually five, occasional extra petal             fragments, double blossoms rarely observed.         -   Petal shape.—Circular to oval.         -   Petal margin.—Entire, slightly wavy, occasional notches.         -   Average petal diameter.—⅞″ [22.2 mm.].         -   Average petal length.—⅞″ [22.2 mm.].         -   Petal apex.—Rounded.         -   Petal base.—Rounded to somewhat truncate.         -   Petal color.—Pale pink [7. p.Pk] toward the apex, Pale             purplish pink [252. p.pPk] toward the base on both sides.         -   Anther color.—Light orange [52. l.O] over a Light yellow             [86. l.Y] center at bloom onset.         -   Stigma color.—Pale yellow green [121. p.YG].         -   Sepal color.—Dark purplish red [259. d.pR] on the outer             surface.         -   Sepal length.—¼″ [6.4 mm.].         -   Sepal width.— 3/16″ [4.8 mm.].         -   Sepal apex.—Rounded to elliptical to match the sepal length             and width.         -   Sepal margin.—Fairly smooth.         -   Average pistil length.— 13/16″ [20.6 mm.].         -   Average stamen length.— 5/8″ [15.9 mm.].         -   Fragrance.—Moderate.         -   Blooming period.—Somewhat early, one week before ‘Spring             Bright’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 7,507) nectarine.         -   Onset of bloom.—One percent on Feb. 23, 2007.         -   Date of full bloom.—Mar. 4, 2007.         -   Duration of bloom.—One to two weeks, dependent on ambient             temperature.         -   Number per cluster.—1 to 3 with single flowers most common.

FRUIT

-   Maturity when described: Firm ripe, Jun. 6, 2007. -   Date of first picking: Jun. 2, 2007. -   Date of last picking: Jun. 12, 2007. -   Size: Uniform, large.     -   -   Average diameter axially.—2 11/16″ [68.3 mm.].         -   Average diameter across cheek plane.—3″ [76.2 mm.].         -   Average diameter across suture plane.—2⅞″ [73.0 mm.].         -   Typical weight.—7.0 ounces [198 grams]. -   Form: Globose, slightly asymmetrical.     -   -   Longitudinal section form.—Round to elliptical.         -   Transverse section through diameter.—Round to elliptical. -   Suture: Extends from the base, along the side and past the pistil     point.     -   -   Near the base.—A sharp groove.         -   Along the side.—A broadened trough.         -   Near the apex.—A deep and sharp groove. -   Ventral surface: Rounded, lipped throughout, but very strongly     toward the apex. -   Lips: Mostly equal. -   Cavity: Flaring, elongated in the suture plane, suture showing on     one side, Very greenish yellow [97. v.gY] stem markings typical.     -   -   Depth.— 9/16″ [14.3 mm.].         -   Breadth.—1⅛″ [28.6 mm.]. -   Base: Rounded to somewhat truncate. -   Apex: Rounded, but strongly cordate if viewed parallel to the     suture. -   Pistil point: Apical, negligible in length, depressed within the     suture. -   Stem: Medium.     -   -   Average length.—⅜″ [9.5 mm.].         -   Average width.— 3/16″ [4.8 mm.]. -   Skin:     -   -   Thickness.—Medium.         -   Surface.—Smooth.         -   Tenacity.—Tenacious to flesh.         -   Astringency.—Astringent.         -   Tendency to crack.—Slight in wet season.         -   Color.—Dark red [16. d.R] over a Moderate reddish orange             [37. m.rO] background with Pale orange yellow [73. p.OY]             freckling toward the apex. -   Flesh:     -   -   Color.—Brilliant orange yellow [67. brill.OY] with Very red             [11. v.R] streaking and bleeding throughout.         -   Surface of pit cavity.—Covered with Dark red [16. d.R]             broken fibers when twisted from the stone.         -   Amygdalin.—Abundant to moderate.         -   Juice.—Moderate, rich.         -   Texture.—Firm, crisp.         -   Fibers.—Abundant, fine, tender.         -   Ripens.—Slightly earlier at the apex.         -   Flavor.—Acidic and sweet, typically 14 brix.         -   Aroma.—Moderate.         -   Eating quality.—Very good.

STONE

-   Type: Clingstone. -   Form: Oval. -   Hilum: Narrow, oval. -   Base: Straight. -   Apex: Acuminate, with a 1/16″ [1.6 mm.] tip having an average tip     angle of 75 degrees. -   Sides: Equal. -   Surface: Regularly furrowed near the apex and along the ventral     edge, pitted stronger toward the base. -   Ridges: Rounded. -   External color: Moderate yellowish brown [77. m.yBr]. -   Pit wall color when cracked: Light yellowish brown [76. l.yBr]. -   Cavity surface color: Strong yellowish brown [74. s.yBr]. -   Average pit wall thickness: ¼″ [6.4 mm.]. -   Average width: 1⅛″ [28.6 mm.]. -   Average length: 1 9/16″ [39.7 mm.]. -   Average breadth: 1 1/16″ [27.0 mm.]. -   Tendency to split: Slight. -   Kernel:     -   -   Form.—Oval.         -   Skin color.—Strong yellowish brown [74. s.yBr].         -   Pellicle color.—Deep yellowish brown [75. deep yBr].         -   Vein color.—Moderate yellowish brown [77. m.yBr].         -   Taste.—Sweet.         -   Viable.—Only by using embryo rescue.         -   Average width.—½″ [12.7 mm.].         -   Average length.— 13/16″ [20.6 mm.].         -   Amygdalin.—Scant.

USE

-   Market: Fresh market and long distance shipping. -   Keeping quality: Good. Fruit quality observed to remain in good     condition after 21 days in standard cold room at 36° Fahrenheit [2°     Celsius]. -   Shipping quality: Good. -   Resistance to insects: No unusual susceptibilities noted. -   Resistance to diseases: No unusual susceptibilities noted.

Other Notes

Although the new variety of nectarine tree possesses the described characteristics under the ecological conditions at Le Grand, Calif., in the central part of the San Joaquin Valley, it is to be expected that variations in these characteristics may occur when farmed in areas with different climatic conditions, different soil types, and/or varying cultural practices. 

1. A new and distinct variety of nectarine tree, substantially as illustrated and described, that is similar to ‘Rose Bright’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 15,845) nectarine by producing nectarines that are firm in texture, that are acidic and sweet in flavor, that are nearly full red in skin color, and that ripen in early June, but is distinguished therefrom by requiring less chilling hours and by producing fruit that has a much deeper suture at the apex, that is somewhat larger, and that is mostly red instead of yellow in flesh color. 